DAPR vs. DDEC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DAPR (FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - April) and DDEC (FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December) are both Defined Outcome funds from FT Vest tracking the S&P 500. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DAPR returned 6.20%/yr vs 8.31%/yr for DDEC. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.85% expense ratio.

Performance

DAPR vs. DDEC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - April (DAPR) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December (DDEC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DAPR achieves a 4.04% return, which is significantly lower than DDEC's 4.97% return.

DAPR

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 1.93%
• YTD: 4.04%
• 6M: 4.78%
• 1Y: 10.07%
• 3Y*: 10.83%
• 5Y*: 6.20%
• 10Y*: —

DDEC

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 1.98%
• YTD: 4.97%
• 6M: 5.94%
• 1Y: 16.08%
• 3Y*: 12.69%
• 5Y*: 8.31%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

DAPR vs. DDEC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DAPR FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - April	4.04%	5.74%	14.99%	9.84%	-6.84%	5.34%
DDEC FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December	4.97%	12.33%	12.26%	16.82%	-6.71%	4.03%

Correlation

The correlation between DAPR and DDEC is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 20, 2021	0.83

The correlation between DAPR and DDEC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

DAPR vs. DDEC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DAPR	DDEC
Technology	36.2%	36.2%
Financial Services	11.9%	11.9%
Communication Services	10.9%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	10.1%
Healthcare	8.4%	8.4%
Industrials	8.1%	8.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.9%
Energy	3.5%	3.5%
Utilities	2.3%	2.3%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.8%

Return for Risk

DAPR vs. DDEC — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

DAPR

DAPR Risk / Return Rank: 96
DAPR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
DAPR Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
DAPR Omega Ratio Rank: 96
DAPR Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
DAPR Martin Ratio Rank: 98

DDEC

DDEC Risk / Return Rank: 86
DDEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
DDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
DDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 89
DDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
DDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 88

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

DAPR vs. DDEC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - April (DAPR) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December (DDEC). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	DAPR	DDEC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.66	2.79	+0.86
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.98	4.12	+1.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.81	1.57	+0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	11.99	3.87	+8.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	59.41	19.48	+39.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DAPR vs. DDEC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DAPR Sharpe Ratio is 3.66, which is higher than the DDEC Sharpe Ratio of 2.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DAPR and DDEC, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DAPR	DDEC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.66	2.79	+0.86
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	1.19	-0.43
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.77	1.25	-0.48

Drawdowns

DAPR vs. DDEC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DAPR drawdown since its inception was -10.51%, roughly equal to the maximum DDEC drawdown of -10.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DAPR and DDEC.

Drawdown Indicators

	DAPR	DDEC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.51%	-10.22%	-0.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.84%	-4.18%	+3.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.51%	-9.40%	-1.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.51%	-10.22%	-0.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.12%	-0.19%	+0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.30%	-1.87%	-0.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.17%	0.83%	-0.66%

Volatility

DAPR vs. DDEC - Volatility Comparison

FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - April (DAPR) has a higher volatility of 1.03% compared to FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - December (DDEC) at 0.88%. This indicates that DAPR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DDEC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DAPR	DDEC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.03%	0.88%	+0.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.88%	4.36%	-2.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.78%	5.79%	-3.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.21%	7.02%	+1.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.16%	6.87%	+1.29%

DAPR vs. DDEC - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both DAPR and DDEC have an expense ratio of 0.85%.

Dividends

DAPR vs. DDEC - Dividend Comparison

Neither DAPR nor DDEC has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DAPR and DDEC in my portfolio?

DAPR and DDEC have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DAPR or DDEC?

DAPR has higher volatility (1.03%) compared to DDEC (0.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DAPR dropped -10.51% vs DDEC's -10.22%.

Which ETF is better, DAPR or DDEC?

On 5-year performance, DDEC leads with 8.31% vs 6.20% for DAPR. Both ETFs have the same 0.85% expense ratio. On volatility, DDEC has been the lower-risk option at 0.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DAPR or DDEC?

Over the 5-year period, DDEC has performed better with a 8.31% return vs 6.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DAPR or DDEC?

DAPR and DDEC have the same expense ratio: 0.85% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DAPR or DDEC?

DAPR and DDEC have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between DAPR and DDEC?

Both ETFs track S&P 500.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DAPR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.66 vs 2.79), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.